Important your voice be heard on county Office for Aging merger

On Monday, Oct. 31 at 11 a.m., a public hearing will be held in the Essex County Board of Supervisors Chambers regarding the merger of the Essex County Office for the Aging and Essex County Public Health Departments.

This proposal will impact elders and those who care for them. It is important that your voice be heard.

The advisory council to the OFA believes that the loss of departmental representation will have a negative impact to concerns of elders in the county. With the projected rise in the numbers of elderly to 30 percent of the population by 2030, it is important to give programs and issues impacting the elderly singular attention. Elders need a seat at the table and a clear voice to the supervisors.

The Advisory Council is asking that the acting director be appointed Director to the Office for Aging as a separate department with departmental representation with no impact to the 2017 budget. Your support at the hearing is important.